If you have a question, drop it in the comments. I’m planning to post here at least once a day going forward, because apparently I’ve decided sleep is optional.
Right now, we’re gearing up for another YouTuber vs. Real Carpenter episode… except this time, we’ve changed the rules.
It’s officially YouTuber vs. Real Roofer, and we somehow convinced Mark from Them Roof Boys to come hang out with us. Send strength.
People always see the final video and think,
“Oh cool, they filmed a build.”
But after 12 episodes, I can tell you:
We basically run a mini Olympics every time we shoot one of these.
Let me walk you through the chaos.
Step 1: Coming up with the idea (AKA: chaos brainstorming)
Every episode starts with a conversation that sounds something like:
- “What if we made them build a roof?”
- “What if the roof was sloped?”
- “What if it was metal?”
- “What if we made them do it in 5 hours?”
- “Is that dangerous?”
- “Probably.”
And then I turn it into an actual event that won’t get anyone injured or arrested.
Step 2: Materials… all of the materials
Roofs require:
- metal
- flat stock
- fascia
- soffit
- trough
- fasteners
- specialized tools
- and caffeine strong enough to restart a car battery
Cue me emailing, calling, texting, coordinating, and occasionally begging suppliers to make sure everything arrives on time.
Step 3: The Build Design
This part happens in Gordon’s brain.
He’ll walk into the shop, stare at the wall for two minutes, mutter “5/12 pitch,” and suddenly we have a full blueprint for a 10’ x 10’ roof section with matching A-frames.
He swears it’s a talent.
I think it’s mild possession.
Step 4: Competitors
Then there’s the whole competitor situation:
- finding them
- confirming they can cross the border
- making sure they want to compete
- making sure they won’t faint from nerves
- getting their sizes for safety gear
- sending them 300 details about the day
- booking hotels/ flights
- answering questions like “Can I bring my dog?” (yes, that really happened)
This part is… a journey.
Step 5: The Crew
Camera crew. Lighting. Audio. Backups. Thumbnails. Interviews.
Trying to keep Chuck from wandering out of frame.
Trying to keep Gordon in frame.
Trying to make sure Cameron doesn’t edit himself into a coma.
All powered by coffee.
Step 6: The Schedule
Every episode has a minute-by-minute breakdown:
- crew call
- coffee
- thumbnails
- interviews
- Shannon trying to keep everyone on a schedule
- build windows
- coffee
- mid-build moments
- Nobody listening to Shannon’s schedule
- more coffee
- outro
- teardown
- even more coffee because by then we’re all just running on fumes and hope
After 12 episodes, you’d think we’d relax.
No. The schedule owns us.
Step 7: The Shop Setup
We move EVERYTHING:
- tools
- materials
- camera paths
- safety zones
- lighting
- and sometimes Chuck, if he stands still too long and gets mistaken for equipment
By the time we’re done, it looks like we’re hosting a tradeshow inside a tornado.
Step 8: The Nervous Energy
The morning of every shoot feels like:
- first day of school
- a boxing match
- a family reunion where you like half the people
- a field trip with power tools
Everyone’s excited.
Everyone’s stressed.
Someone’s always missing a glove.
And finally… we hit record.
This is the part you see — the builds, the commentary, the chaos, the “did he really just do that” moments, and everything in between.
But behind that one YouTube episode?
Is weeks of planning, prepping, building, organizing, scheduling, emailing, buying, rearranging, and pure “let’s hope this works” energy.
And I love it.
Every stressful, hilarious second of it.
If you want a behind-the-scenes post about:
- the competitor selection process
- the sponsorship side
- how we write the rules
- or the REAL reason these builds take years off my life
Just comment below.
See you tomorrow.
— Samantha
Bully Media Inc 